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OSAC Country Security Report Ethiopia OSAC Country Security Report Ethiopia Last Updated: August 4, 2021 Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should exercise increased caution in Ethiopia due to COVID-19, civil unrest, and communication disruptions. The Department of State assesses the following regions of Ethiopia at higher risk levels: • Do not travel to Tigray Region and the border with Eritrea due to armed conflict, civil unrest, and crime; the border area with Somalia due to potential for terrorism, kidnapping, and landmines; the border areas with Sudan and South Sudan due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and civil unrest; the border areas with Kenya due to potential for terrorism and ethnic conflict; and Amhara Region districts (woredas) that border Tigray Region due to armed conflict and civil unrest. • Reconsider travel to Somali Region due to potential for terrorism and internal border unrest with Afar Region; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR) due to armed conflict and civil unrest; the East Hararge zone area and the Guji zone of Oromia Region due to armed conflict and civil unrest; and Benishangul Gumuz and the western part of Oromia Region due to armed conflict and civil unrest. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Ethiopia 139 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as being at a Low state of peace. Crime Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Addis Ababa as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Ethiopia, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes. The emergency line in Ethiopia is 991 or 11-111-0111. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Crime: General Threat While statistics on crime against Westerners are not publicly available, anecdotal reports suggest that petty crime against Westerners remains elevated. Crime is generally opportunistic in nature, with criminals targeting foreigners (ferengis) for crimes under the assumption is that they possess valuables and are more susceptible to becoming victims. Pedestrians in crowded locations and those in vehicles stuck in traffic are frequently targets of petty crimes such as pickpocketing and snatch-and-grab robbery. Exercise caution in crowded areas, such as tourist sites and shopping malls, and especially in the Mercato open-air market. Physical violence does happen. If someone threatens you with violence over money/belongings, comply with demands and attempt to end the confrontation as quickly as possible. 1 In many cases, criminals attempt to use distraction as a tactic. For example, street vendors will engage you in conversation while another criminal steals your wallet, cell phone, etc. Maintain situational awareness at all times. Residential burglaries in areas populated by U.S. Embassy personnel and other Western expatriates are not common, but do occur on an isolated basis. Keep valuables locked in a secured area at work. Only give your keys to a trusted person; do not leave them in possession with others (e.g., guards). Identify a secure lockable area away from windows where you can isolate yourself in case of an intruder. Alarms, guards, and dogs are outstanding deterrents to criminals. Ethiopia is primarily a cash economy. ATMs are readily available throughout Addis Ababa, and major hotels and commercial centers accept major international credit/debit cards, although connectivity problems can limit availability. While credit cards are gaining acceptance, there have been reports of unauthorized charges. Ensure you have sufficient cash reserves. Crime: Areas of Concern Petty crime is pervasive throughout Addis Ababa, particularly in wealthier areas populated by expatriates. 2021 saw increased reports of violent crime involving Westerners in Entoto Park, Yeka Park (behind the British Embassy), and Guellele Botanical Gardens. These attacks and attempted assaults involved multiple assailants armed with knives, rocks, and other weapons of opportunity. Other areas of concern for crime include the Mercato market and major malls and shopping areas catering to wealthier Ethiopians and expatriates. Outside of Addis Ababa, injuries and deaths from criminal violence occur regularly. In 2017 unidentified gunmen shot and killed a European tourist at the Erta Ale Volcano, a popular tourist attraction in the Afar region abutting Eritrea and Djibouti. Banditry and incidents involving ethnic conflict are also common along the southern border with Kenya, particularly around the town of Moyale. Crime and intruders from South Sudan's Murle clan remain a concern in the Gambella region in the west of Ethiopia, though the capital city of Gambella remains relatively calm. Much of the violence is rooted in inter-ethnic conflict exacerbated by refugee flows into western Ethiopia from Sudan and South Sudan. The U.S. government restricts personnel travel outside of the city of Gambella. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit. Kidnapping Threat The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Ethiopia, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips. Remain cautious when traveling in/along the border with Somalia, where there is an ongoing al-Shabaab kidnapping threat to foreigners. A kidnapping threat against Westerners has been active in the Dolo Odo area of the Somali region since 2013. Drug Crime Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa hosts Africa's largest airline, connecting Addis Ababa to over 120 destinations worldwide. Ethiopian counter-narcotics officials point to the passenger throughput 2 of the airport and availability of international routes as a contributing factor to Addis Ababa becoming both a transit point and destination country for illicit drugs. According to the UN Office of Drug & Crime (UNODC), Ethiopian authorities claimed to have arrested 80 individuals from 17 countries for trafficking heroin, cocaine, and cannabis in 2018-2019. Drug seizures from 1998 onwards indicate an increase in heroin trafficking to eastern African countries from Pakistan, Thailand, and India through Ethiopia. Likewise, West African syndicates are increasingly involved in cocaine trafficking in the region. The lack of a well-developed financial system limits Ethiopia's utility as a money laundering center. Ethiopia cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia; qat is legal in all three countries. Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information. Terrorism Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Addis Ababa as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Ethiopia, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist. Review the latest State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Ethiopia. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Terrorism Index 2020 ranks Ethiopia 28 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as having a Medium impact from terrorism. Terrorism: General Threat The continuing threat of al-Shabaab and ISIS emanating from Somalia is the Government of Ethiopia’s core terrorism concern and the focal point of its security apparatus and the Ethiopia National Defense Force’s (ENDF) counterterrorism efforts. In late 2020, Ethiopian security officials announced the arrest of al-Shabaab and ISIS members accused of planning attacks in Addis Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia. Current information indicates that terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and Western targets and interests in East Africa, as well as against high-profile targets within those countries that contribute troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia, including Ethiopia, which also hosts the African Union headquarters. The ENDF, the Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP), Ethiopian intelligence, and regional special police work to block al-Shabaab attacks in Ethiopia. The Peace Ministry, which oversees the EFP and intelligence services, increased its public messaging, peace-building activities, and coordination role to combat the influence of al-Shabaab and other groups. Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Addis Ababa as being a HIGH-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The border region between Ethiopia and Eritrea is of particular concern given the ongoing conflict in Tigray. The U.S. government
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